This is the UHA Mikakutō (CN) Cororo Strawberry, which we inadvertently selected without realizing it was manufactured under license in China. However, it provided us with an opportunity to assess whether Chinese products could match their Japanese counterparts. We had previously steered clear of such products, having noticed that Glico items produced outside Japan were notably inferior to the original Japanese versions.
Similar to the Japanese product, these gummies contained 100% fruit juice for their strawberry flavour.
In terms of appearance, these gummies shared comparable dimensions, measuring about 2 cm in length with a 1.5 cm diameter. However, their red color was notably darker than the vibrant hue of the Japanese version. They emitted a similarly rich aroma reminiscent of strawberry jam. The outer coating offered a similar toothy resistance, and the interior maintained the same thick jelly-like consistency that dissolved smoothly on the palate, complete with strawberry seeds. The primary point of distinction lay in the strawberry’s sweetness, which presented a flavour akin to a strawberry jam that had been further reduced, resulting in the removal of the fruit’s natural acidity.
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by the comparable quality of these Chinese-manufactured gummies in comparison to the Japanese originals. Nevertheless, we still hold a preference for the brighter and fresher strawberry flavour found in the Japanese version.
This UHA Mikakutō (CN) Cororo Strawberry contained 52 g (12 pieces). It was produced in China and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.